Everton dismiss ‘stupid’ Roy Keane comments
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has dismissed as “unfair” criticism from Roy Keane aimed at Roberto Martinez over the club’s players being unavailable for international duty.
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Keane said on Sunday that Martinez needs to explain ongoing fitness issues surrounding midfielder James McCarthy and right-back Seamus Coleman.
McCarthy and Coleman were unavailable for the Republic’s 1-1 draw with Germany in a Euro 2016 qualifier on October 14, yet played for their club four days later.
Former Wigan midfielder McCarthy has missed his country’s last three qualifiers, leading Keane to suggest that Republic manager Martin O’Neill should meet Martinez and suggest that the 23-year-old is “under lots of pressure” from Everton not to play in internationals.
But Kenwright told Sky Sports News: “I’m a big fan of Roy Keane, but he does say some stupid things. That’s totally unfair.
“We love our players to go away on international duty, and Roberto Martinez would be as shocked as anyone to hear what Roy has said.”
McCarthy suffered a hamstring injury during Everton’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Sunderland on October 9. Having joined up with the Republic squad ahead of last Friday’s Euro 2016 qualifier in Scotland – which his country lost 1-0 – he was unable to train and sent back to Everton for treatment.
Coleman played the full 90 minutes against Scotland. However, Keane was critical of Martinez, hinting that the Everton manager was putting his own team’s Europa League commitments ahead of the needs of international coaches.
In a confrontational press conference, the former Manchester United midfielder said: “Martinez has to look after his club and he is probably thinking they have European games.
“Roberto, I don’t think, has ever played senior level at international level and maybe he doesn’t appreciate how big it is for us and how big the games are for us.”
Keane added: “I worry that he [McCarthy] is under lots of pressure, particularly from Everton’s point of view. You always get the impression from Everton that Seamus and James are both barely able to walk, that type of thing.
“So when they actually turn up and they are walking through the reception, [you think] ‘Praise the Lord, it’s a miracle’.”
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